Yes, it's customary for the couple to give gifts to the wedding party, including the MOB. Many brides give their mom a personal, sentimental gift before or after the ceremony as a token of their appreciation.
While in some families and cultures, the parents do give a tangible gift to the bridal couple, other families and cultures feel the wedding itself is enough. This means it is completely your choice.
It's customary for the couple to give gifts to all the members of the wedding party—including their parents—on or around the wedding day (the rehearsal dinner is a good time to do this). It's common for the groom to buy a gift for his mother that's sentimental and special to their unique relationship.
Typically the bride gives bridesmaids gifts to her bridesmaids and maid of honor, and the groom will give groomsmen gifts to his best man and groomsmen. The attendants can also give a gift to the couple to wish them well in their lives together.
The Bride and Groom Gift Exchange
It has become customary for brides and grooms to exchange gifts and vows and rings when they get married. While it is considered an "optional tradition", this type of sentimental gift exchange between couples on their wedding day is becoming increasingly popular.
Who gives the mother of the bride a gift? Regardless of who is paying for the wedding, it's customary for the couple to give both sets of parents something special—including the mother of the bride.
One of the most traditional gifts to give your groom on your wedding day is a watch.
Who Buys the Mother of the Groom Gift? Typically, a groom will buy their mum a gift, but it's also a lovely gesture if their partner buys a gift for their future mother-in-law, too. This will show how much you both appreciate the mother of the groom and all the help and support she has given with wedding planning.
The Bride. If you're still following tradition, then the bride is only responsible for paying for the groom's wedding band and wedding gifts for her bridesmaids. However, there are many wedding costs (everything from a coordinator to flowers and décor) that are often shared between the bride and her family.
Typically, the maid of honor pays for smaller-ticket items, like a bachelorette sash or tiara, decorations, and swag for the other party guests. If you, as the bride, don't want to pay for these smaller items, our advice is to give your friends space to take the reins.
Traditionally, he walks down the aisle solo but some grooms prefer walking down the aisle escorted by both parents. Other grooms prefer a more subtle approach by entering the ceremony from the side of the venue (following the officiant and followed by the groomsmen) to take his place at the altar.
The groom might opt to escort his mother down the aisle and to her seat in the front row, followed closely behind by the groom's father. This gives the groom an opportunity to give his parents a hug before taking his place at the altar.
Traditionally, the mother of the bride selects her dress first and then tells the mother of the groom what style of dress she chose so the mother of the groom can pick accordingly.
The parents of the bride are the hosts of the wedding, and the wedding weekend. The father of the bride and mother of the bride duties include welcoming guests when they arrive in town, and host events over the weekend. They may include a welcome dinner, round of golf, a spa day, and the post-wedding farewell brunch.
During the reception it is customary for the father of the bride to make a short speech, thanking the guests and those that have helped with the wedding planning, and talking a little about his daughter and new son-in-law. At the end of the speech the father of the bride usually proposes a toast to the happy couple.
In traditional weddings, the father of the bride walks her down the aisle and hands her off to the groom. If this seems old-fashioned, that is because it is. The practice dates back to the days when women were the property of their father, and he gave her away in exchange for a dowry.
Traditionally speaking, though, the bride's family pays for the bulk of the wedding—venue, reception, photographer, flowers, etc. As such, the mother of the bride is typically more 'in charge' of these things (along with the bride, of course) than the mother of the groom is.
The bride's side of the family traditionally pays for the bride's wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses. Increasingly, however, bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses.
Tradition dictates that the groom is responsible for purchasing gifts for the male members of the wedding entourage. This group includes the best man, groomsmen, ushers and the ring bearer. It's also appropriate to present both your father and the father of the bride with tokens of your appreciation for their support.
An easy rule of thumb is to stay within the average range of $75 to $200, but you can adjust the exact amount based on your personal finances, as well as your relationship with the couple.
As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.
Although there is no need to give a gift, there is also nothing wrong with doing so if you choose. Ask your daughter for some guidance as to allergies, preferences, etc., and make it something small so that you don't make her feel uncomfortable.
Sometimes the groom's parents pay for the officiant fees, the marriage license, the bride's bouquet, boutonnieres, and corsages for immediate family members, the liquor, entertainment, and sometimes even the honeymoon!
To make sure the bride and groom are never without food, traditional folklore says they should be gifted salt and pepper. Many also believe that the gift of salt and pepper will give flavor to their new life together.